UCC AND THE CRANN CENTRE JOIN FORCES TO HELP ADVANCE CARE FOR FAMILIES WITH DISABILITIES

The collaboration builds on the charity’s holistic approach to life-long solutions for people with neuro-physical disabilities and their families.

University College Cork (UCC) and the Crann Centre have signed a community partnership agreement aimed at advancing care for families living with neuro-physical disabilities.

The partnership will include research being conducted on the impact of the pioneering model of care adopted by Crann at its centre in Ballincollig, Co. Cork.  The Crann 2Gen model of care focuses on delivering a range of services and supports to a child or adult with a disability while also offering services to family members.  This ensures that the entire family can enjoy better health and wellbeing and increased participation in leisure, education and work. 

Crann is the first organisation in Europe to adopt this approach for disability.  The research generated by the collaboration with UCC will influence the wider application of a 2Gen approach across the disability sector both in Ireland and across the world.

It is just one of a number of projects that will be undertaken by the university and the charity, across clinical, social and other disciplines, that promote inclusivity in research and innovation, learning and teaching, and the student experience.

Crann is a pioneering Irish charity which provides life-long, life-changing solutions for children, adults and families living with neuro-physical disabilities including Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy. 

UCC previously collaborated with the charity in the development of its award-winning accessible playground, which was co-designed and co-created with children and families living with neuro-physical disabilities.

Professor John O’Halloran, UCC President, said: “UCC and The Crann Centre have a shared vision and shared values. Both institutions have a place for everyone and are committed to leaving no one behind. This partnership is a unique opportunity to place Cork at the heart of holistic, inclusive, meaningful Engaged Research, with benefits for populations worldwide – a local activity with a global impact.”

Kate Jarvey, Crann Founder and Board Chair stated: “We are fully committed to being worthy participants in the far-reaching opportunities that this MOU with UCC opens to Crann and to all whom Crann serves. This opportunity will enable Crann to strengthen and enlarge our innovative, mission driven commitment to care for those with neuro physical disability and their families. The Crann 2Gen model of care encapsulates a strategic equanimity of service provision not only for individuals with disability but also for their entire family. The engaged and transformational research that is envisioned for this MOU will be a clear sighted and wise response to better serving persons with disability.”

To learn more about this partnership or to get involved contact:

• Louis O’Sullivan (The Crann Centre) – losullivan@cranncentre.ie
• Dr Siobhán Cusack (UCC) – s.cusack@ucc.ie